Two Bowie wins at the BRITs

David Bowie has won both British Male Solo Artist and Mastercard British Album Of The Year for ★ at the @BRIT Awards 2017 ceremony at London’s O2 Arena this evening.

The British Male Solo Artist award was collected by Michael C. Hall after being presented by Zane Lowe. Here’s Michael’s acceptance speech:

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

“If David Bowie could be here tonight, he probably wouldn't be here tonight. But since he can't be here tonight, I'm here tonight on his behalf, on behalf of his family, to accept this testament to a man beholden to nothing but his own boundless imagination and daring, who's ever expanding artistic vitality, simultaneously soothes us and seers us and astonishes us...maybe he is here tonight, I don't know.

But, I'm honoured to stand before you and acknowledge the potency of his work and if I may too also acknowledge that David's kindness and generosity and enthusiasm will forever inspire me to be a better man. On his behalf, thank you.”

Towards the end of the evening, Noel Gallagher announced the Mastercard British Album Of The Year, with the following: “And the winner is, the King, David Bowie, Blackstar.” He then introduced “David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones”.

Here’s Duncan’s moving tribute to his father and all of you reading this, The Kooks...

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

Hi everyone. I lost my dad last year, but I also became a dad. And I was spending a lot of time after getting over the shock of trying to work out, what would I want my son to know about his grandad?

And I think it would be the same thing that most of my dad's fans have taken over the last 50 years. He's always been there supporting people who think they're a little bit weird, or a little bit strange, a little bit different, he's always been there for them.

So, this award is for all the Kooks and all the people who make the Kooks. Thanks Brits and thanks to his fans.

FOOTNOTE: Bowie also won the British Male Solo Artist Award in 1984 and went on to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award in 1996.

He won British Male Solo Artist again in 2014, for which Kate Moss collected the statuette while delivering a particularly memorable message from Bowie. (http://smarturl.it/BNetBRITS2014)

Last year, following moving spoken word tributes from singer Annie Lennox and actor Gary Oldman, Oldman accepted the BRITs Icon Award on Bowie’s behalf. Lorde then joined David Bowie’s touring band for an emotionally charged performance of Life On Mars? (http://smarturl.it/BNetBRITS2016)